03 MARCH 2015

"Stiverne KO's Arreola in Six for WBC Heavyweight Title"

Bermaine Stiverne grabbed the WBC heavyweight crown this evening with a sixth round knockout win over Chris Arreola at the Galen Center on the campus of the University of Southern California. Most fight fans hadn’t let the memory of Haitian born Stiverne putting on a clinic of sorts last April against Arreola fade from their collective memory.

In round one, both men seemed a bit timid at first. Arreola was the more active of the two in the opening minute, while Stiverne sought to determine the best distance by way of his pawing left jab. A phone booth battle of sorts ensued in the closing minute. Each man landed some power shots close in to end the period. Chris went on the attack in the opening moments of the second. Bermaine wisely backed away and used the ring after some early exchanges. A thudding right hand from Arreola answered Stiverne’s constant left jab with a minute to go. By all means, the fighter from Riverside, California got the attention of his opponent. Chris landed some more shots to nail down the round to his benefit.

Bermaine’s jab was quick in round three. Chris popped his foe squarely on the chin and backed him into the ropes throughout the stanza and he had referee Jack Reiss paying close attention to the unanswered shots towards the end of the period.

As in previous rounds, Bermaine Stiverne smiled at his opponent whenever any meaningful shots found their respective target. He showed much quicker hands, yet Chris showed patience and slowly stalked his Haitian foe. Round four was much a case of accuracy versus volume. Arreola kept coming forward at all costs. A good fight had broken out in Los Angeles as four rounds were in the bag. Power shots continued to land in round five. Chris kept looking for a way in, while Bermaine kept seeking a way into his opponent’s head by means of his ever constant trash talk.

Round six brought the bout’s first knockdown. Just a minute into the period, Stiverne’s left jab made way for a crushing right hand. Chris made it to his feet, although his support system (his legs) had visibly gone south. The assault continued and Bermaine sent his foe to the canvas once more and almost through the ropes about thirty seconds later. The Riverside fighter was on his last legs and he didn’t look good at all. Arreola assured Jack Reiss that he could continue, yet all it meant was that he could continue to take punishment. Successive rights and lefts found their way to the head of Arreola. One by one they came and Reiss had seen enough. Bermaine Stiverne accomplished the same result (a win), but in half the rounds compared to their initial meeting last April. The end came a the 2:02 point of the sixth. The WBC heavyweight crown is now the property of Bermaine Stiverne, whose record improved to (23-1-1, 20 KO’s), while Chris Arreola fell short in his quest for a major title once again. His record now stands at (36-4, 31 KO’s).